Introduction
CHARLES H. FELTON was born in Massachusetts on August 24, 1855 to Matias and Lurene Bent Felton. His family came to New Jersey after the Civil War, first settling in Vineland. The Feltons first appear in Camden Directories in 1869. The 1869 and 1870 City Directories shows the Feltons at 314 Friends Avenue in Camden. By June 20, 1870, when the Census was enumerated, the Felton family, which included younger brother Ernest and older brother George G. Felton, had moved to Camden’s South Ward. They are listed at 301 Pine Street in 1872. Charles H. Felton is listed in 1874 and 1876 as a printer living at 716 South 3rd Street. By 1878 Charles H. Felton had gone into the real estate and insurance business, with an office at 203 Federal Street. He lived with his parents and brother Ernest at 506 Federal Street, where his father had a grocery store. By 1878 his father had retired and the family had moved to 514 Federal Street, where they stayed into 1881. The 1882 Directory shows Charles H. Felton at 528 Stevens Street. His brother George G. Felton, who had moved to Burlington, had come back to the city of Camden and was working as a clerk for one Eastlack family’s grocery businesses. Charles H. Felton and family lived at 528 Stevens Street into 1885. By the time the 1887–1888 Directory was compiled, they had moved to 418 Benson Street.
Charles H. Felton’s real estate business was quite successful. It is probable that he developed the eight houses on Felton Street, which ran south from Clinton Street between South 6th and South 7th Streets and Clarion alley in the 1880s. By 1887 brother George G. Felton had also come into the firm. Harry L. Humphreys had been employed as a bookkeeper in 1883; he would stay with Charles H. Felton’s real estate business for 45 years.
Charles H. Felton died in Camden on November 23, 1887. He was survived by his mother, his wife, May I. Felton, sons Charles H. Jr. and Alvan S., daughter Edith L., and his brother, George G. Felton. His wife and brother carried the real estate business on together until 1893 when George G. Felton went into business for himself. Mrs. Felton remained active in the real estate business until 1925, and the firm continued to operate as late as the fall of 1928.
The Bent Family In America
The Bent Family In America — Felton family entry.
1876 City Directory
1876 Camden City Directory listing for Charles H. Felton.
Petition to the Camden City Council
Camden Post —
Petition—To the President and members of the Camden city council.
Gentlemen.—We, the undersigned, petition your honorable body to cause Clarion street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, to be paved with cobble stones, and your petitioners will ever pray, &c.:
Roberts & Cohn, north side, between 6th and 7th streets.
Charles H. Felton, H. L. Humphreys, Attorneys, south side.
I do hereby certify that the above petition is correct and represents the majority in value of the property along said street.
John S. Shults, City Surveyor.
Lurene Felton – George G. Felton
Death of Charles H. Felton
Camden Post —
Charles H. Felton, a prominent real estate agent and conveyancer, doing business at 203 Federal street, died Wednesday after a protracted illness, at his residence, on Benson street. He was one of the best known and most trusted men in Camden, and was prominently associated with several secret social organizations. He was secretary of three building and loan associations, and transacted a great deal of private real estate business for many of the old citizens of this city.
He was a leading member of the Sixth Regiment Band, and wrote much of its music. He was also one of the organizers and founders of Unity Church, on Benson street, above Fourth, and was greatly interested in the church enterprise from its infancy. His death is thought to have resulted indirectly from overwork.
Chas. H. Felton’s Funeral
Camden Post —
The funeral of the late Charles H. Felton took place this afternoon from his late residence, 418 Benson street. The casket was covered with black and was mounted in silver. The plate on the lid bore the following:
Charles H. Felton, Born Aug. 24th, 1855. Died Nov. 23d, 1887.
Members of the following lodges attended: Association Council, O. C. F., Provident Lodge, No. 4. A. O. U. W., Senatus Lodge, No. 76. I. O. O. F., also the members of Jenning’s Sixth Regiment Band. Rev. N. A. Haskell, pastor of the Unity church, preached the sermon.
The pall-bearers were: Hon. E. A. Armstrong, Messrs. Jonathan Duffield, Robert Patton, Jos. Jenning, Harry Fortiner, George Leatherwhite, G. J. Mines and Mahlon Ivins.
Felton Buried at Harleigh Cemetery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles H. Felton, the prominent real estate agent of Camden, who died last Wednesday, was buried from his late residence, No. 418 Benson street, on Saturday. The funeral was attended by Association Council, O. C. F.; Provident Lodge, No. 4; A. O. U. W., Senatus Lodge, No. 76; I. O. O. F. and Jenning’s Sixth Regiment Band. The body was laid at rest in the Harleigh Cemetery.
Order of Chosen Friends.
Camden Daily Courier —
On the 18th day of February Association Council, No. 6, O. C. F., cancelled their obligation to the amount of $3000 with Mrs. Charles H. Felton, whose husband was a member of the order. Papers are also on hand awaiting official action in the case of William H. Wheaton, whose widow still has a claim of $1500, the family having already some four years ago received $1500 of a $3000 certificate through the permanent disability of Mr. Wheaton. This will make a total of $15,500 paid directly to members of Association Council, or their beneficiaries, since June of 1882.
Obituary
Camden Post —
Mrs. Lurene Felton, relict of the late M. B. Felton, died yesterday, at her residence, in this city, after a short illness, in her seventieth year. Deceased was the mother of George G. Felton, the well known real estate operator of this city, and of the late Charles H. Felton. Mrs. Felton has been a resident of Camden for a number of years, and was highly esteemed. She was one of the organizers of Unity Church, and was actively identified with all its interests. The burial will occur at Gardner, Mass., where the funeral services will also be held.
Col. Felton Committed Suicide in His Office
Camden Daily Courier —
Closed the Place Up Tightly and Turned on Gas Jet.
His Family at Stone Harbor
The Real Estate Operator’s Confidential Clerk Made a Startling Discovery When He Opened the Office This Morning—He Had Been Acting Strangely for Weeks.
Colonel George G. Felton, the well known real estate dealer, former City Treasurer and Deputy Quartermaster of the National Guards, committed suicide sometime last night or early this morning by asphyxiating himself in the Felton building, northeast corner of Second and eFderal [sic] streets.
The suicide caused a great sensation when it became generally known and a large crowd of people surrounded the building all morning until the removal of the body by Funeral Director Fithian Simmons to his office on Market street. Mr. Felton resided at 413 Washington street, but his family has been summering at Stone Harbor.
The death of Col. Felton was not discovered until half-past 7 o’clock this morning, when Confidential Clerk Smith on opening the doors of the office detected the smell of gas. Col. Felton had been absent from the office for several days and Clerk Smith’s suspicions were aroused, knowing that County Colector [sic] Mahlon F. Ivins was a bosom friend and business confidante of Col. Felton, he hastened across the street to his office and informing him of his misgivings, asked him to assist him in making an investigation. Before accompanying Mr. Smith to the Felton building, Collector Ivins ‘phoned to the City Hall and the police in turn notified Coroners Robinson and Litchfield. The Central station also directed Policeman George Kappel to take charge of the premises and when he arrived there was joined by Policeman Harry Hiller. Chief Foster and Captain Boyle were also soon on the scene.
Accompanied by Mr. Ivins, Clerk Smith returned to the Felton building. Passing through the main office they treaded their way down a dim, narrow corridor to the private examining room of the U. S. Pension physicians. Opening the door the stench of gas was so overpowering that it nearly knocked them down. They, however, bravely ventured into the room and threw open the windows, the gas escaping into the street and enabling them to pursue their gruesome search. They found it on a sofa in a corner of the room, a small but high ceilinged apartment. On the sofa lay the dead body of Col. Felton, disrobed of his outer garments and wearing a calm, peaceful expression in sad discord with his worldly troubles. Overhead the gas stove connection was on full tilt, graphically explaining the mode of death. On a chair nearby were found his trousers and vest, while his hat, coat and watch were found in his own main office.
Coroners Litchfield and Robinson gave a certificate of death of heart failure, superinduced by inhaling gas. From the pink discoloration about the wrists where the blood was leaving the veins, Dr. Litchfield said that the body had been dead at least six hours, though he may have been dead ten or twelve.
Col. Felton was seen to enter his building at exactly 12.10 o’clock this morning. A citizen, whose name is withheld at his own request, had been talking with Night Watchman Clarence Hires on Federal street. He bade Hires good night and when he reached Second street saw the Colonel come around the corner. He came as though to enter his office by the front door, but turned and going back up Second street entered the side-door. Mr. Hires says the light was burning in the Colonel’s front office from 7 o’clock last night to 5 o’clock this morning, when he went off duty and Mr. Smith found it still burning when he arrived.
Colonel Felton has been acting strangely for several weeks and had not been at his office for two or three days.
When asked by anxious friends what the trouble was, he would put his hands to the side of his head and complain that it was in bad shape. He was seen in the hotel at Haddon avenue station on Saturday afternoon. He carried a grip and appeared very cheerful. Asked if he had been to the shore he replied no, he had been down the country, Bridgeton.
Grocer Charles F. Eastlack, by whom Col. Felton was at one time employed, went to Stone Harbor this morning to notify the family of his death. Col. Felton leaves a widow and adopted daughter, Miss Leona Felton.
Col. George G. Felton was born at Westville, Mass., and was fifty-six years of age. He had been a resident of this city for about quarter of a century. Previous to that he was engaged in the grocery business at Burlington. On coming to Camden, he entered the employ of Grocer Charles F. Eastlack, at Third and Washington streets, but later entered the employ of his brother, Charles H. Felton, who had an extensive real estate business. On the death of the latter the Colonel went into the same business for himself, his brother’s widow continuing the old business under the name of Charles H. Felton & Co. It is not known, however, whether business troubles impelled him to end his life.
Col. Felton was prominent in political, military and society circles. In 1892 he was appointed by Mayor Wescott a member of the Board of Public Works.
In 1896 he was appointed City Treasurer to fill the unexpired term of the late F. F. Michellon. In 1897 he was elected City Treasurer for two years, his election being contested by his Democratic rival, Freedom C. Lippincott, but was confirmed by the County Board of Elections.
He was Deputy Quartermaster on the Governor’s staff and a member of the Masonic order and A. O. U. W.
Colonel Felton was active in building and loan association circles. He was treasurer of the Mechanics’ and Workingmen’s Building and Loan Association and was former secretary of the People’s. He was also a director of the Security Trust Company. He had also been a director in the Central Trust.
Mrs. Felton will arrive from Stone Harbor this evening, when arrangements for the funeral will be made. The flag at Post 5 Hall is flying at half-mast in Col. Felton’s memory, for he was a Grand Army veteran, having gone to the front when a mere boy.
Notable Growth of Labor Unions
Membership of the Telegraphers Union Increasing in the West.
By “The Courier’s” Own Wire.
Chicago, July 7.—President Samuel Gompers, of the American Federation of Labor, was in Chicago yesterday on his way to San Francisco, and while here addressed a meeting of the Commercial Telegraphers’ Union. President Gompers expressed himself as pleased with the action of the telegraphers in organizing, and with the condition of labor organizations throughout the country. He stated that there were more unions and larger memberships of the same than at any time in the history of labor. President MacDonald, of the Telegraphers’ Union, said that the membership was increasing, and that there were similar unions now established at Milwaukee and Kansas City. About five hundred telegraphers were present at the meeting.
Florist Fish Dies Suddenly
Expired Yesterday Morning at Pleasantville Where He Was Visiting Friends.
Walter C. Fish, a well known florist of Broadway and Spruce streets, this city, died suddenly early yesterday morning at Pleasantville, N. J., where he had been visiting friends since the Fourth. For some months past he has not been well and complained frequently of pains in his head.
Yesterday morning he arose as usual, and at about half-past 6 o’clock was taken with severe pains in the head. He continued to grow worse and two physicians were summoned. They ministered to the sick man, but without any apparent success, and at twenty minutes after 7 o’clock he died.
A member of the family could not state this morning just what Mr. Fish’s malady was. It was thought probably that he suffered from brain trouble.
The body was brought to this city yesterday afternoon at 5 o’clock, and the funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon next at 2 o’clock. Mr. Fish was a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 3, A. O. U. W., Improved Order of Heptasophs; Camden Conclave, No. 215; Witherspoon Circle, No. 1, Brotherhood of the Union.
“Just a Gentle Touch.”
That Was All, But Joseph’s Watch and Money Went With It.
Annie McAntee, alias Hayes, twenty-four years old, of Philadelphia, and Joseph Costello, thirty years old, also of Philadelphia, were arraigned before Recorder Stackhouse this morning on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. The twain were picked up by Policeman Matlack on Sunday morning about 3 o’clock at Third and Walnut streets, very much the worse for liquor.
The aimless wanderings of the couple and their suspicious actions first caught the attention of the policeman and he followed them. Costello became tired of walking and went to sleep on a convenient door step. At this stage of the game the Hayes woman was seen by the officer to abstract something from the clothes of the sleeping man, and then to slip away and hide behind a tree on the opposite side of the street. In a few moments the man awoke and not seeing the woman started off down Walnut street. As soon as he was out of sight the woman skipped down Third
Mrs. M. I. Felton Dies; Widow of Realty Man
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. May I. Felton, 80, widow of Charles H. Felton, who for many years was engaged in the real estate business in Camden, died in Walpole, Mass., yesterday of a heart attack. She was visiting there at the home of Mrs. John B. Holm for a vacation. Mrs. Felton lived at 221 Linden street.
For many years Mrs. Felton was active in the Camden Day Nursery. She was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. She was born in Worcester, Mass.
Her husband was in the real estate business with Harry L. Humphries at 214 Federal street for a number of years, and then conducted the real estate business under his own name at 513 Market street.
Mrs. Felton is survived by a daughter, Mrs. J. Harry Ives, of Louisville, Ky., and two sons, Charles H. Felton, of New Orleans, and Alvan Felton, of Camden.
Arrangements for the funeral services, which will be held in the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper street, have not been completed.
Charles H. Felton
Camden Courier-Post —
Charles H. Felton
Grave-side services for Charles Hudson Felton, 78, 210 S. Walnut st., West Chester, Pa., were Thursday in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mr. Felton died Monday at his home. He was born in Camden and traveled extensively before settling in West Chester in 1960.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose.
Surviving are his wife Harriet; a brother Alvan of Camden; a sister, Mrs. Edith Ives of Jackson, Miss.